Scarlet Hollow

Scarlet Hollow

Early access since Jun 2021

Your aunt’s dead, your cousin hates you, and you’re stuck in the dead-end town of Scarlet Hollow. Choose your path through a branching narrative so dense that you'll see less than 1/5 of the game on a single playthrough. You won't be able to save everyone. Good luck, and welcome home.

97% positive · 5,379 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam $29.99
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Evaluation

Scarlet Hollow is an episodic horror-mystery visual novel still in Early Access, with five of its planned seven episodes currently available. The most recent major release was the Rumors Update on July 30, 2026, which added approximately 60,000 words of new and expanded content to Episode 5 and earlier chapters. In that same post, the developers described this as "the last major content update before the release of the game's final chapters," confirming that the concluding episodes are in the pipeline but not yet released. In a September 7, 2026 studio update, the developers confirmed that Episode 6 has over 22,000 words written so far, with the first section targeted for completion by late fall 2026. Alpha testers can already sign up via Patreon to get early access to new story content as it becomes ready. An August 3, 2026 post further clarified that outside of bug fixes, the game's content is "pretty much locked until Episodes 6 and 7 are complete," explicitly naming both remaining chapters. Developer communication has been consistent and transparent throughout 2026, with regular progress reports, a price increase announcement tied to the eventual 1.0 release, and ongoing bug fix patches (including one on September 12, 2026). The studio is actively engaged with the project and on track toward a defined conclusion.
Evidence
Developer confirms Episode 6 has over 22,000 words written and is gaining momentum, with the first section targeting completion by late fall 2026. Alpha testers can sign up via Patreon.
news post · Sep 7, 2026 source content planned
high
Developers state that outside of bug fixes, the game's content is 'pretty much locked until Episodes 6 and 7 are complete,' explicitly confirming two remaining chapters before 1.0.
news post · Aug 3, 2026 source content planned
high

Content

5 of 5 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Publisher
Black Tabby Games
Achievements
221
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

From the developers of Slay the Princess, Scarlet Hollow is an immersive horror-mystery with sharp writing, impactful choices, and meticulously hand-drawn art.

Coal mines sealed off after a deadly collapse. Strange creatures preying on livestock. Houses infested with vengeful spirits. The sleepy town of Scarlet Hollow has suddenly come alive with horrors, just in time for your arrival. 

This was supposed to be a quiet getaway in the rural mountains of North Carolina. All you had to do was finally meet your long-lost cousin and comfort her through her mother’s funeral. But now, each new day welcomes new nightmares. 

You only have to survive a week. But can you get to the bottom of the horrifying mysteries haunting Scarlet Hollow before they claim your life?

The first five episodes are available now, with one major content update planned before the story reaches its conclusion.

Features

  • A heavily branching narrative where your decisions (actually) matter. The relationships you forge and the decisions you make will dramatically alter your journey.

  • A complex paranormal mystery. Investigate haunted houses, strange sightings in the woods, a deteriorating mine, and more as you try and piece together what happened in Scarlet Hollow.

  • Trait-based dialogue and role-playing. Scarlet Hollow's dialogue system is driven by role-playing elements that let you choose who you want to be. Are you quiet and observant? Hot and clueless? Can you talk to animals? 21 different character builds change how you interact with the world and how your story unfolds.

  • A dynamic relationship system that reacts to your every choice and changes how your story unfolds. People won't just like or dislike you. Become friendly rivals, bitter adversaries, best friends, or mild acquaintances with everyone in town based on how you approach the story.

  • Original monster designs inspired by Appalachian myths and cryptids.

  • No jumpscares. All of the horror in Scarlet Hollow comes from dread, tension, and a sprinkle of disturbing imagery.

  • A touch of romance. Whether you're into goths, dads, moms, paranormal investigators, mysterious recluses, or actual monsters, you'll find something waiting for you here. And if you'd rather avoid that entirely, your story won't be any less for it.

  • Hundreds of meticulously hand-drawn and traditionally inked backgrounds. Every background in the game is hand drawn and inked by Ignatz-winning graphic novelist Abby Howard.

  • Fully immersive art. Each major character has dozens—and often hundreds—of hand-drawn sprites that interact with backgrounds and capture a full range of lighting, emotion, environment, and outfit changes.

Last evaluated Sep 12, 2026
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